Trees

Now it's not as though they are the passion I have been searching for since circa 1999, but I really do like them. Going through my BC pics, and even the latest that I have snapped over the last year or so I have realized that I am drawn to the big ole' green beasts. I think it might have to do with a little bit understanding their presence and admiring their subtle beauty. Maybe I relate because I am tall. Am I crazy? I don't think so. To think that something with such a complex root structure out of sight, and live beings not all that flashy on the outside with bright colours or features are so important to so many facets of existence. Back to grade 1...we know that trees provide basic but essential living conditions for many species. Shelter, oxygen and natural resources for almost everything alive is a truism. I swear I am not about to go Environmentalist ape shit on us all, I just got to thinking about it thru my small collection of pictures, how odd is that? Just like me. The fact alone that the Earth's largest living organism alone is a network of California Redwoods is astounding. Since I was born I have loved this beautiful old willow tree right at the door of my parents trailer home (yes we have a trailer) and I guess I can relate to their resilience. Year after year, winter after winter coming back to re-bloom, the majority not outshining with spectacular buds of radiant colour or anything; hell even the evergreens keeping their lush green all year long and proud of it even if they have to endure the heavy snow. I guess I should stop now, y'all will fear for my sanity otherwise. Anyhoo, stay tuned for a pic album called Trees...I have enough shots here and there to support it's need.

Toodles

Mere hours left...

It's not as though I am the son of some diplomat who has been able to travel the world over, or even a run of the mill middle to upper class kid who got to see a new part of the globe every winter or summer break. I have been afforded the abilitiy to dip my toe slightly into the pond and get away a few times every year though for the 5 or so that I have been working in the travel industry. In the 8 days that I have spent out here in BC, I have been able to saturate much, see the equivalent to, if not more than during the 10 days that I spent this way in 2001, and learned a great deal. What currently matters and what should matter are now very clear. What I have learned about myself while being made very aware of what natural wonders we have available to us mean I can now take little for granted, including sight. The homeless crisis is overwhelming in some areas, but so is the imminent beauty of sand and sky, ocean and mountains all so close. Whistler or Tofino however touristy or even sometimes kitschy, dig a tad deeper and you find the locals and history that make them great little jewels. The fabulous areas of North Van or Kitsilano, although may have Toronto equivalents I have yet to find them or perhaps appreciate their proximity to me most days of the year. I have never needed a vacation as much as this, nor can I recall taking in such a lesson as I have during this time. Alas I will literally come down off this high tomorrow as I drive down the mountain, make the trip back home on Wednesday and bid farewell until we meet again, perhaps someday permanently in the however distant future.

Toodles

Beautiful BC

Well you know I'm here. And if you know me well at all you may know that since i was about 10 or 11 I have had this innate urge that I must live here. Now that's more of a 'one day' scenario when I have enough money and gumption to just pick up and and leave all that is in Ontario for me including familiy, friends, job, familiarity, etc. Arrived yesterday morning into Vancouver and headed pretty much out right away for the Island. Stayed my first night in Nanaimo after ferrying it over from West Van and although tired as all get out, I was able to take in some of the little 'Harbor Town'. It was cute, reminded me a lot of St. John's in Nfld actually, unfortunately like a lot of cities out here there is a lot of homelessness due to the climate (I bought a guy McDonalds for dinner when he told me he hadn't eaten at all for the day and he had a dog, that was the dealbreaker). Today consisted of me driving across the Island to the 'rugged' West coast, with some scary narrow windy roads on Hwy 4, a truckload of beautiful vistas to finally arrive at Tofino. The place I am staying at for the next 2 nights is rediculous, it reminds me of part All Inclusive Sunspot/part Vegas/part OpryLand in Nashville. It's incredible. I am splurging, but I deserve it, I have never needed a vacation more than this one. Check out their website at www.wickinn.com. I will upload the pic's when I get home and you will see that the price was worth it. I strolled this evening before dinner in the village of Tofino (tree hugger central and the Western most point in Canada with the exception of Queen Charlotte Islands), bought some wine that I can sip as I curl up on my private balcony, book in hand, wrapped in the provided Hudson's Bay trading blanket and listen to the waves crash up against the rocks below. I am telling you, it's unreal. If I run into another internet station along my travels, I will send another update sometime. All I can tell you is this...for the first time I have gone on vacation and not missed home, not wanted the feeling of getting back to the city of Toronto, to my routine and what I know. Believe it or not, these are all feelings I would have BEFORE getting on the plane at Pearson. This getaway of mine is laid back, almost mapless, no set plans except sleeping arrangements and I can already tell that getting back to Ontario is going to be heartbreaking.

Toodles

Sick Is Me

So I'm a little sick right now. It's nothing out of the ordinary, as far as I can tell just another cold. Probably something to do with the fact that the season has changed, I started wearing crocs way too early this year, and I will share a straw or whatever else with anyone far too easily. When I'm sick I will often have these super corny 'reflective' moments where I say to myself, 'when you are better you are going to never take for granted ever again that when you are well it's always going to be that way'. Then the sore throut goes away, the taste of food comes back, the nose is no longer raw and air passes freely through both nostrils...and my pep talk gets forgotten. Oh well, I supposed it could be worse. Now don't let it fool you, I still eat...McDonalds in large quanitities...because psychologically I know it's comfort food and that's what I like, but heck I could eat asparagus and brocolli all day, with boiled tofu accomponied by some disgusting healthy smoothie of sorts...but I don't. When I'm sick I rarely want sympathy, nor do I need you to tell me I look like crap or for you to ask me if I'm sick when you can clearly see the literal paper trail of kleenex tissues and all of my V's sound like B's. Don't tell me your ancient remedy to make it better, make it for me dammit and bring it to me...do I look like I have the energy to do it myself? I sometimes say I wouldn't mind having a little tape worm or something...not permanently damaging, just here for a little while, it takes what it wants and them moves on. Kinda shaves some meat off me like those rotating gyros things...hmmm...okay can't taste quite just yet, but I guess I know where I'm going pronto when we're thru with this little episode.

Toodles